With a new name and clearly defined purpose, Vanguard University’s Black Student Union (BSU) started the semester with a clear purpose.

“It’s a support group for African American students on campus. Our motto is heart and soul, affirmation and awareness,” Diversity intern and club coordinator Crystal Todoroff said. At the start of the semester, Todoroff worked with other Diversity leaders to change the name of the year-old club. The previous name, Alpha Phi, is the name for an already established sorority and BSU more clearly represents the club, she said.

BSU seeks to provide a place for members to affirm one another, to grow together and to promote character development while rooting their identity in Christ, Todoroff said. Coming to Orange County can be a shock for any ethnicity, Todoroff said, the club discusses the differences and encourages members to know the culture they are in and know how to be themselves in it.

On Oct. 18, the club hosted an event called “Allow Me to Reintroduce Myself” in the Cove. The event was open to the whole campus and featured two student speakers and a poem from the BSU cabinet. Students often begin college by sharing only the “ideal” portion of who they really are, Todoroff said. This event encouraged students to reveal their whole identity. The event had a great turnout and “the presence of God was there,” she said.

During Vanguard’s family weekend, BSU hosted another event, their first Diversity family reunion, with the other diversity clubs on campus. About 80 people gathered for a BBQ, games and fellowship. Todoroff said they hope to make it an annual event.

When describing BSU’s purpose, Todoroff said: “Our goal is to establish a community. Our major vision is to help people grow in their identity.” To accomplish these goals, the cabinet gathers every Monday evening to brainstorm for new events and prepare for the monthly club meetings.